Introduction

On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo approved and announced visa-free entry to Ghana for all African passport holders, effective 2025. This is a landmark policy aimed at enhancing African integration and cooperation. By facilitating the free movement of people in the African continent, this policy is closely aligned with the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063, which envisions a united and prosperous Africa. Among its flagship projects is the creation of a Continental Free Trade Area, which includes not only the free flow of goods and services but also the mobility of people as a pillar of economic integration.

This initiative places Ghana at the forefront of continental efforts to break down long-standing barriers to regional trade and development. In the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with it’s Secretariat in Accra, this visa-free regime complements the overarching goal of fostering intra-African trade by addressing non-tariff barriers and promoting investment, collaboration, and cultural exchange.

The Policy in Context
Visa restrictions have historically impeded the mobility of African citizens, limiting opportunities for cross-border trade, employment, and cultural exchange. According to the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Africa Visa Openness Report, African citizens require visas to enter more than 50% of countries on the continent, highlighting a significant obstacle to regional integration.

Ghana’s visa-free travel policy is thus a bold step toward reversing this trend and creating a borderless Africa. Ghana’s leadership in Pan-Africanism further contextualizes this initiative. From the era of Kwame Nkrumah to its role in Pan-Africanism, Ghana has consistently championed African unity. With intra-African trade currently accounting for just 15% of total trade on the continent—a stark contrast to 68% in Europe—the potential economic benefits of removing mobility barriers cannot be overstated.

The AfCFTA aims to create a single market for goods, services, and capital by eliminating trade barriers. However, effective trade integration also requires the free movement of businesspersons, resources and skilled labor. Consequentially, Ghana’s visa-free policy directly supports this objective as it has the potentials of enabling entrepreneurs, investors, and traders to travel and operate freely, thus accelerating the realization of AfCFTA’s goals.

Legal and Economic Implications
From a legal perspective, Ghana’s policy is deeply rooted in various legal frameworks and agreements that aims to facilitate regional and economic integration. Most importantly, it aligns with the African Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence, and Right of Establishment, (2018). This protocol aims to create a legal basis for the free movement of people within the African continent, allowing citizens to travel, reside, and establish business across member states without undue restrictions.

 

However, as of December 2024, only 4 of the 55 African Union member states have ratified the protocol, and this reflects hesitations among member states to implements the provisions of the policy. While the protocol is yet to achieve widespread ratification, Ghana’s unilateral implementation signals its commitment to the principles enshrined in the document. This initiative also complements the legal frameworks of the AfCFTA, particularly those addressing non-tariff barriers and trade facilitation measures. Although the AfCFTA primarily focuses on goods and services, the free movement of people is a critical enabler of trade. The AU’s agenda 2063, under its goal to achieve a borderless Africa explicitly acknowledges the need for harmonized visa policies to complement trade agreements.

Economically, visa-free travel has the potential to stimulate trade and investment by lowering the costs and administrative hurdles associated with mobility. Entrepreneurs from across the continent will find it easier to explore opportunities in Ghana and in effect will foster innovation, collaboration, and competition. Furthermore, enhanced mobility can lead to the development of regional value chains, with Ghana serving as a hub for manufacturing, logistics, and services.

 

One immediate benefit is the potential increase in foreign direct investment (FDI). The policy reduces administrative burden on foreign investors seeking to establish or expand operations in Ghana. The country strategic location already makes it an attractive investment destination, and this policy further enhances its competitiveness, particularly among neighboring West African countries. Entrepreneurs and small medium enterprises (SMEs) which are vital to African’s economic landscape, will also benefit from easier access to Ghanaian markets.

The tourism sector is another area poised to benefit significantly. The policy is expected to boost the tourism sector, which has already gained global attention through initiatives like ‘Beyond the Return”. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) intra-African tourism accounts for approximately 44% of all arrivals on the continent, and the potential for growth is significant if mobility barriers are reduced. This will immensely contribute to local economies and support the hospitality industry in Ghana.

In trade, Ghana’s visa-free policy could enhance the development of regional value chains. For example, traders from border countries like Burkina Faso or Mali could more easily transport goods through Ghanaian ports and this will help reduce logistic costs and improve supply chain efficiency.

Opportunities for Ghana
By facilitating greater mobility of human resources and investment, Ghana can consolidate its position as a leader in African economic integration. The country’s strategic location, political stability, and role as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat makes it an attractive destination for trade and investment. The visa-free policy could further enhance its appeal by creating a conducive environment for business and innovation.

Additionally, the policy could strengthen Ghana’s role as a hub for trade and logistics. With improved access for African traders and investors, Ghana is well-positioned to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and become a central node in regional supply chains. This could boost the competitiveness of Ghanaian exports, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

Challenges and Risks

Despite its promise, the visa-free policy is not without challenges. Security concerns, such as the potential for cross-border crime, must be addressed. Strengthening border management systems and enhancing cooperation with neighboring countries will be critical to mitigating these risks.
Administrative capacity is another potential obstacle. Ghana’s immigration systems will need to handle increased travel volumes efficiently, which may require investments in technology and human resources. Furthermore, the success of the policy depends on reciprocal actions by other African states. Without widespread adoption, the benefits of visa-free travel may remain limited.

Recommendations and Conclusion
To ensure Ghana’s visa-free travel policy to achieve its full potentials, a series of complementary procedures should be adopt, including:

 

1. Upgrading border management systems to enhance security and efficiency.
2. Investing in infrastructure to support increased travel and trade.
3. Collaborating with other African nations to promote reciprocal visa-free agreements.
4. Aligning domestic policies with the AU’s Free Movement Protocol and AfCFTA objectives.

In conclusion, Ghana’s visa-free travel policy for African passport holders is a transformative initiative with significant implications for regional integration and economic growth in Africa. By removing barriers to mobility, the policy supports the objectives of the AfCFTA and positions Ghana as a leader in Africa’s journey toward unity and prosperity. With strategic implementation and regional cooperation, Ghana can harness this initiative to drive development and deepen its integration into the continental economy.

 

[1] African Union, ‘’Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want’’ (2016).

[2] African Development Bank, Africa Visa Openness Report 2023 (AfDB, 2023).

[3] See Articles 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 of the Treaty Establishing the Africa Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence, and Right of Establishment, (2018).

[4] African Union, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want (2015).

[5] World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Africa Tourism Report 2023 (UNWTO, 2023).

By: Amofa Darlington

 

The post Visa-Free Travel for African Passport Holders: Implications for Ghana’s Role In Intra-African under the AfCFTA first appeared on 3News.

Read Full Story